Leicester City signing Anthony Knockaert hoping to follow in the footsteps Malouda and Drogba
Anthony Knockaert is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba and become a big hit in English football.
The 20-year-old winger has agreed a three-year contract with Leicester City after moving from French Ligue 2 side Guingamp, who can also boast the likes of Malouda and Drogba among their list of former players who have made their mark in English football.
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Anthony Knockaert is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba
However, the 5ft 9in attacker almost gave up football when he was rejected by Lens for being too small.
But after being encouraged to continue by his father, the 20-year-old made a big impact at Guingamp.
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He was linked with a move to Newcastle United in April, but it is City who have landed the exciting prospect.
"I wanted to stop football and it was my father who encouraged me to continue," said Knockaert in an interview in France.
"I am someone who is always there for the team. I think it's one of my qualities. And I think I have some technical skill."
Knockaert was born in Roubaix in northern France and began his junior career with Wasquehal, where he stayed for one season, before moving to Leers, a small village team.
He was picked up by Lens and signed a five-year deal, but was released.
He regained his hunger for football in Belgium with Mouscron, where he played for two seasons.
Knockaert moved back to France with Lesquin and played in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A before he was given a chance in Ligue 2 with Guingamp in 2009, and has made 59 league appearances, scoring 13 times.
He was included in French Football Weekly's list of the top 50 best young players in France and they wrote: "His attributes are more or less what you would expect of a modern winger, but this guy has a knack of scoring goals.
"He is a regular in French youth teams and is currently in the under-20 squad.
"In short, he is a hot prospect for the future with loads of pace and trickery up his sleeve, which could help him in a league like the English Premier League."
Equally adept on both flanks, his impressive displays have earned him 10 France under-20 caps and he has scored four international goals.
His performances have attracted the attention of numerous clubs, including Newcastle and Montpellier, and City boss Nigel Pearson admitted he was a player that had been on his radar for some time.
"He will bring an awful lot of quality and enthusiasm," said Pearson. "I am looking forward to him being a big part of our season. He is someone we have been watching for a while."
City should officially announce the signing after finalising details and getting Football League approval.
Comments
by terrytrams
Monday, August 06 2012, 6:59PM
“does anybody think we need another defender ?”
by Norman09
Saturday, August 04 2012, 1:30AM
“Let's hope Pearson doesn't put Nugent out wide again, As the goals almost dried up last season when Nige in his wisdom, stuck Nuge wide.
This new lad Knokaert has a wonderful future ahead of him. Let's hope he does really well for us.”
by Yorkfox
Friday, August 03 2012, 7:19PM
“Raheem Sterling likely to be subject of a £7 million bid to Liverpool by Spurs. Shame we didn't get him on loan last season when we desperately needed width.
Knockaert now gives us this width, not at the expense of Dyer but may well play wide right and allow Marshall to play off the front two.
Spearing and Chester now and we will win this Championship.”
by lcfcdan
Friday, August 03 2012, 1:17PM
“Last comment was supposed to say signing not season.... Obviously got too excited”
by LCFC_KING
Friday, August 03 2012, 1:09PM
“why are people being so harsh on poor Lloyd Dyer he gives his best every game, it may not be as good as others but all we can ask is for the best he can do.”
by lcfcdan
Friday, August 03 2012, 11:47AM
“Actually quite excited with this season! No one here had heard of him 48 hours ago but that is why we don't get paid to scout for lcfc. By the right up about the lad he could have the potential to be a quality acquisition for us.
I said we need a winger, I think we just need a central midfielder commander that loves to get stuck in and another central defender and I think we could have a good settled squad this season.”
by lcfctilidie
Friday, August 03 2012, 11:09AM
“Central midfield is still our biggest weakness. We need someone who can boss the midfield.”
by LCFC18018
Friday, August 03 2012, 10:58AM
“Damo - i think you are being a little harsh on Dyer. He has the pace to scare opposition defences and is our only out and out left winger. I'm a lot happier now we seem to have a nice mix of 4 wide players in Dyer, Gallagher, Marshall and Kockaert.
For me, the attack and midfield are now set. We just need a quality central defender.....James Chester??”
by kapero
Friday, August 03 2012, 10:20AM
“The pressure is heaped on as usual!
Another equation, young man + expectation + new country = Leon Crncic. He has promise, thats it, so give him some time to adapt.
Should he adapt, an alternative equation, young man + success + LCFC = stepping stone.”
by FoxUlike
Friday, August 03 2012, 9:58AM
“What's interesting about most of our signings this Summer is how young most of them are. Peltier is also being moved on, it would seem, to make room for Liam Moore to come through.
Transfer policy is set at Board level – not by the Manager. To me, this validates the Thai's statement that they are here for "the long-term". I don't think that they would approve so many transfers of up-and-coming players unless they could see themselves still in charge for the next five years or so.
I just hope some of our more 'passionate' fans realise this and don't start giving the team a hard time next season if we're not slaughtering everyone we play.”